In sports betting, you will often hear experienced bettors talk about betting “units” as a way to measure and manage their bankroll and wagers. But what exactly does betting in units mean? Using units for sports betting refers to betting a percentage of your total bankroll instead of fixed dollar amounts on each wager. It provides a standardised way to track results and measure wins and losses. Let’s explore the meaning and benefits of using units for sports betting in more detail.
Why Betting in Units is Advantageous
There are several key advantages to using units for sports betting:
Allows Flexible Bet Sizing
Betting with units instead of fixed dollar amounts allows you to easily scale your bet size up or down depending on the size of your bankroll. As your bankroll grows over time from winning wagers, betting the same number of units represents a larger dollar amount. This enables you to increase your wager size and potential returns while still only risking the same percentage of your total funds.
Simplifies Tracking Results
When you bet using units, it’s easy to track your win rate and return on investment over time. For example, if you bet 5 units and win 3 units, you know your win rate is 3/5 = 60%. Using dollar amounts makes this more complex, as you’d have to continually update how much each dollar represents as a percentage of your changing bankroll size.
Manages Risk and Bankroll
Betting a standardised percentage of your bankroll per wager helps manage your risk and conserve your bankroll during losing streaks. You can follow the common advice of not betting more than 1-5% of your bankroll on any single wager. This makes your bankroll less volatile and gives you staying power to overcome normal ups and downs.
Allows Comparison Between Bettors
When bettors record results in units, it makes it easier to compare sports betting success and strategies. If someone says they are winning at 55% betting 5 units per game, you instantly know their approximate return on investment. Comparing dollar amounts doesn’t provide an apples-to-apples comparison between bettors with different bankroll sizes.
| Bankroll Size | Beginner Unit Size | Intermediate Unit Size | Advanced Unit Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $10-$20 | $20-$30 | $30-$50 |
| $5,000 | $50-$100 | $100-$150 | $150-$250 |
| $10,000 | $100-$200 | $200-$300 | $300-$500 |
How to Calculate and Use Units for Betting
To start betting in units, follow these steps:
Determine Your Bankroll
First, decide how much money you have dedicated specifically for sports betting. This will be your total bankroll. Only bet with funds you can afford to risk long-term and won’t need to tap into for other expenses.
Set Your Unit Size
A common unit size is 1-5% of your total bankroll. If your bankroll was $1,000, betting 5 units per wager would mean each unit is 1% of $1,000 = $10. A $100 bet would represent 10 units. If your bankroll grows to $2,000 over time, your unit size would scale up to $20 per unit.
Make Wagers in Units
When analysing betting opportunities, decide how many units you want to wager on each game or bet rather than thinking in dollars. Make sure to scale your wager size based on your conviction in the bet and the expected value you see compared to betting odds.
Track Results in Units
Keep a betting record tracking how many units you wager and win or lose on each bet. Over time, this will provide your win rate, return on investment, and other key stats. Always measure performance in units instead of dollars.
Manage Your Bankroll
Stick to your predetermined unit size and maximum wagers per bet based on bankroll management best practices. This will help sustain you through inevitable losses and protect your bankroll from getting depleted too quickly on a losing streak. Betting more units than your bankroll can withstand is a surefire way to go broke.
Setting a Standard Unit Size for Betting
While units represent a percentage of your bankroll, you still need to define a standard unit size to calculate dollar amounts. Here are some guidelines when setting your unit size:
- Beginners: 1-2% of bankroll per unit
- Intermediate: 2-3% of bankroll per unit
- Advanced: 3-5% of bankroll per unit
So for a $1,000 starting bankroll, a beginner would want to make each unit $10-$20, an intermediate bettor $20-$30, and an advanced bettor $30-$50.
You can start on the lower end of those ranges. As your bankroll and experience grows, you may increase your unit size slightly. But don’t get overly aggressive by making each unit too large a percentage of the bankroll you have available.
Key Considerations When Betting Units
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:
- Reduce your unit size during losing streaks to protect your bankroll
- Bet fewer units on huge underdogs to minimise variance
- Don’t chase losses by suddenly betting 10 units to try to get even after losses
- Have a plan for both unit size and maximum wagers per bet before starting
- Be willing to scale back occasionally if you want to make a larger “fun” wager
Using units for betting instead of moneylines requires discipline and restraint. But over the long-run, it’s the smartest approach for giving yourself the best chance at sports betting success.
To sum it up, betting in units represents wagering a percentage of your total bankroll on each bet. This allows standardised bet sizing, easy tracking of results, bankroll protection, and apples-to-apples comparison between bettors.
Units bring structure and strategy to sports betting. By taking this disciplined approach, you have a framework for long-term betting success and growth. While luck always plays a role, using units tilts the odds in your favour.